HIT: Do I have a book out?

[Shayne Russell <srussell@VOICENET.COM>]

Okay thanks, guys-- I feel much better now.  Other people's students (even
graduate students) can't remember they've checked out books either (although
mine are definitely worse than some).  Once again, you've solved all my
problems.  Several people filled me in on a way I can print out transaction
lists that include everything the homeroom has checked out, not just
overdues.  Guess I should have known that, or maybe read the Unison manual
;-).  I can now send the list to the homeroom teacher a day ahead *and* keep
a list in the library so the kids can check for themselves to see if they
have anything out-- putting the responsibility back on them, which I like a lot!

Other great ways folks are dealing with the same problem:
1.  Teach the kids to put the book back into their school backpack each
day/night when they stop reading.  That way they'll have it at school when
it is time to return it.

2.  Require kids to write the title(s) of the book(s) they borrowed in their
homework planner calendar on the date of the day *before* their next library
visit so they will remember it.

3. Provide "reminder slips" with several lines and cute clip art on top for
them to write in the titles of the books they borrowed and the date they're
due back.

4.  Make the due date the day *before* the next library visit and have the
class collect the books and send them down in a box.  Then provide an
overdue list of books that need to come in with the class the next day.

I can now view this more as an opportunity to teach responsibility than as a
source of frustration!  Thanks, I needed that change of perspective!!

Shayne
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Shayne Russell
Educational Media Specialist & KidsConnect Volunteer
Mt. Laurel Hartford School              Mt. Laurel, NJ
srussell@voicenet.com                   http://www.voicenet.com/~srussell

KidsConnect is a question-answering and referral service on the Internet,
provided by the American Association of School Librarians, a division of the
American Library Association
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